Chapter 19
The marriage talk was progressing secretly.
“…You said Sheyard?”
“That’s right!”
Father looked very pleased.
No way, Sheyard? I didn’t think it would be them. Is this because of the original novel’s plot trying to pull me back in?
But really—Sheyard? Why?
I had thought it was impossible. After all, with the Duchess still alive, the Duke wouldn’t care about arranging Brinnen’s marriage.
Then how did Father even manage to set up a meeting with the Sheyard heir?
“There’s no family like Sheyard. Even the Temple can’t mess with them.”
The family of heroes who protected the Empire. The current Duke of Sheyard’s influence was immense—so much that even the Imperial Family couldn’t easily oppose him. Of course, that meant the Temple couldn’t either.
Honestly, this was the best card to play if we wanted to escape the Temple’s pressure.
“But why would he accept this…?”
Wasn’t the Duke obsessed with his wife? A man crazy in love with the Duchess.
He barely handled government affairs, only caring about ways to extend his wife’s life.
“The Duchess seems to like you.”
“…Ah.”
The Duchess. I completely forgot about her as a possible variable.
I did meet her before, and since then, Brinnen had been visiting our mansion weekly.
But why did she like me so much? All she saw was a sick girl lying in bed!
“Still, the Duchess…”
I thought she’d oppose the idea even more—sure, maybe as a friend, but not as a daughter-in-law.
If she had been sick for so long, wouldn’t she want her son to marry a healthy girl instead? That’s what I assumed, so I hadn’t even considered this outcome.
“Let’s go.”
“Go? Where?”
“The Duchess’s condition has worsened. We received a letter saying we should visit her in person. And it’s best to move before she changes her mind.”
Ah…
Idette’s face darkened slightly.
“We’re leaving right now?”
“Yes. It seems urgent.”
So her condition must be really bad.
Maybe that’s why they want to push this marriage forward quickly.
Come to think of it, the Sheyard family isn’t a bad choice strategically. The Temple wouldn’t dare touch them. Just like in the original story.
“Just a moment, Father.”
After preparing gifts and dressing up neatly, they soon arrived at the Sheyard mansion.
“Welcome.”
As they entered, Brinnen and the butler came to greet them.
Idette exchanged a polite nod with Brinnen—it had been a while since she last saw him.
“The Duke and Duchess are inside. Please, follow me.”
From his expression, Brinnen didn’t seem to know anything about this marriage talk.
As they walked down the hall, Idette glanced at him.
How should she pull him aside to talk about this? She had to find out what he thought about this marriage.
“Idette?”
Lost in thought while staring at Brinnen, she hadn’t realized everyone was watching.
“You acted like you didn’t want to get married, but you seem completely smitten now.”
“Eh?”
Her father smiled warmly at her, clearly amused. Even the butler gave her a fond look. Brinnen’s ears turned slightly red.
What’s with this atmosphere…
***
Idette hadn’t realized she had been staring at Brinnen so intensely while thinking that everyone misunderstood her.
“It’s not like that. You’re all misunderstanding.”
She denied it firmly, but no one seemed to believe her. They just found her cute.
“I said I’m not in love!”
Even when she repeated herself loudly, her father just nodded with a teasing grin, as if humoring her.
Feeling that anything she said would only dig her deeper, Idette shut her mouth.
After a while, they reached the Duchess’s bedroom. When the butler opened the door, they were met with the pale face of the sickly Duchess.
“Hello, Duchess…”
“Welcome, Lady Idette.”
The Duchess smiled faintly, greeting her warmly.
“Are you feeling any better…?”
It hurts to watch.
Idette didn’t know what to call the feeling, but seeing the Duchess barely able to move, only turning her head and speaking weakly, pained her deeply.
Not long ago, she herself had been in that same state.
“Cough, cough!”
The Duchess coughed painfully, yet managed a soft smile and gestured for Idette to come closer.
When Idette carefully took her hand, it was burning hot with fever.
“…You seem much better now, Lady Idette. I’m glad.”
“…”
“I liked you the moment I saw you. That’s why I’m so happy about this marriage.”
“Why… me?”
“I have a good eye for people. I could tell you were exactly the kind of person Brinnen needs. Now that you’re healthy, I’m even more certain.”
Just… a feeling? That’s all?
But in the original story, Idette never helped Brinnen in any real way. She only died during childbirth, leaving him traumatized.
“…Please take care of our Brinnen.”
After saying that, the Duchess coughed again and the meeting ended there.
The Duke, with a grim expression, led them to the drawing room. He didn’t say a single word on the way.
**”
In the drawing room, the adults stayed behind to talk.
Idette went out for a walk with Brinnen instead, sending away the servants who followed them once they reached a quiet area.
“Are you really going to marry me?”
“Yes.”
What?
He answered without hesitation, firm and calm.
His tone was blunt, but his slightly red ears betrayed some embarrassment.
“…Huh.”
“Do you not want to, Lady Idette?”
“Yes.”
She also answered immediately—because she really didn’t want this marriage.
“…”
Brinnen’s expression stiffened slightly, though Idette didn’t notice and continued speaking.
“I think I told you before—I’ve been sick all my life. I could die anytime. Marrying me would be a total loss for you.”
“…It’s not like I can stop it if the adults decide.”
“You’re not even going to try to stop it? How can you just accept that?”
“…Stop it?”
“Yes.”
“Then who would you marry instead?”
Uh… anyone but you?
“Why can’t it be me?”
Wait. Are his eyes… glistening a little?
No, that’s probably my imagination.
Idette laughed awkwardly to herself.
“It’s not that you’re bad, Brinnen—it’s just… human feelings, you know?”
“Feelings?”
Brinnen frowned, not understanding.
“Having a wife who could die any time wouldn’t be good for you, Brinnen.”
So please, give up on me on your own.
In the original novel, Idette had been too obedient to refuse her father, and Brinnen too dutiful to rebel—so they both just got married easily.
“I actually heard something,” Brinnen said quietly.
“What?”
“…That you might be taken to the Temple.”
“Ah.”
“It’s not like you told me directly. I just overheard it. I apologize if it was something you wanted to keep secret.”
“It’s fine. It’s not really something to go around talking about anyway.”
“I haven’t told anyone.”
Of course not. Brinnen barely spoke to anyone in this mansion anyway.
He lived in the shadow of his father’s obsession with the Duchess.
“Good. Please don’t.”
“I won’t. But still—whether it’s me or someone else, you need to get married to avoid being taken by the Temple, right?”
Ah, so he knew.
That did make things simpler.
“…Yes, that’s true…”
“Then why can’t it be me?”
“I told you—it’s about human emotions…”
“Even if I don’t mind? I told you before, I want to be close to you, Lady Idette.”
What is wrong with him?
He wasn’t avoiding her gaze anymore; his eyes met hers directly, steady and sincere.
Idette froze for a moment.
